Amazing African Experience

I just had to share this facebook post by my daughter Shanah.  I had the pleasure of spending some time with Dani in Hawaii and I'm so excited that she has this opportunity and what an adventure for her; this picture truly says it all; can you imagine the feeling ... Shanah wrote ... "My amazing hanai sister, Dani, at her vet internship in Africa this summer...beautiful and such an inspiration!!!” 

My Daughter's Trip to Peru

  I just want to share a few photos of my daughter Raina's trip to Peru; her adventurous and challenging hike up to Machu Picchu and Amazon.  She and her two friends Meghan and Vallerie joined a group of 15 along with a guide.
  Raina likened this trip as the Ironman for the Traveller!  I'm glad she didn't include photos of the tarantulas etc from the Amazon.
  She worked a day in a Peru clinic and held a successful conference sharing her knowledge as a specialist in hand therapy, posturing etc. then met up with her friends for their incredible journey.  I suppose you can say I'm a mom with bragging rights.

 
 

 

 

 

THE AMAZON

 

 

 

 

My Neighbor's Dilemma

My elderly neighbors are wading through water to get into their homes every time it rains...I can't believe our condo's board has not made this a priority!  I'd love to know what you think about this?

 

Astaxanthin | Antioxidant Supplement

Astaxanthin | Antioxidant Supplement This is something I felt worthy to pass onto you; highly recommended by Dr. Oz too.

Up until now, this natural super-nutrient has not received the attention and notoriety I believe it deserves.

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• Potentially enhance your skin protection from sun-induced free radicals?*

And if you’re an athlete, or even a weekend warrior, what if you could…

• Increase your strength and stamina?*
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• Reduce joint and muscle soreness after a vigorous workout?*
• Enhance your visual acuity and depth perception?*

Something you might be interested in, but sounds almost too good to be true?

There is a natural super-antioxidant nutrient that can help you do all this… and more.* And it’s not just based on ‘hear-say.’ Clinical trials have researched the solid benefits of this powerful lipid soluble antioxidant.*

My daughter Raina just returned from a trip to Peru where she conducted a conference, hiked 4 days up to Machu Picchu, and an adventure to the Amazon... I'm so proud of her taking on such a challenging adventure!  She sent me the most beautiful Inca Cross that I found out has alot of symbolism and meaning and is very interesting:

The Chakana, or Inca Cross, is a powerful symbol of the Andes ancient cultures and is considered the most complete sacred geometrical design for the Incas.  The chakana symbol is found throughout the Andeas and can be seen in talisman or standalone design object form.  It can also be seen in the architectural designs on many buildings, temples and ancient monuments, such as at the temple of the condor in Machu Picchu  

The three steps

The three steps represent levels of attainment of consciousness in the three 'worlds' or tiers:

1.       Hanan Pacha: the upper world of the stars, celestial beings and gods, universe (also represented by the condor)

2.       Kay Pacha: the middle world of Mother Earth and human life, here & now (also represented by the puma)

3.       Uqhu Pacha: the lower world of the underworld, inner realms, other world (also represented by the snake)

The 3 Primary Principals:

1.       Love (Munary) the love of self, love of humanity and the love of the gods

2.       Knowledge (Yachay) in the forms of intellect, experience, and consciousness

3.       Work (Llankay

Central hole

The central hole represents the Incan capital of Cusco, the portal from one tier to the next, and the Eye of God.

Twelve points

The entire symbol additionally represents the cyclical year, with each of the twelve corners corresponding to a month. The cross has 12 points and legend has it that these points represent the following sayings, affirmations and life points I Live, I Work, I Love; The Underworld, The Current World, The Upper World; The Condor, The Puma, The Snake; Don't Lie, Don't Steal, Don't be Lazy

The top of the cross is said to represent God, or Wiracocha, with the highest level of consciousness being expressed as the Great Spiritual Central Sun.

Four arms

the four directions of the compass,

the four 'classical elements' of earth, air, water and fire,

the four main stars of the Southern Cross, an important constellation for the Inca, who believed that was the centre of the Universe.

           Raina & her friends:

Rain Gardens for Nashville

Rain Gardens For Nashville: Cumberland River Compact is partnering with the Mayor Dean's Impact Nashville Initiative and neighborhood groups to plant rain gardens on residential properties. This will help reduce downstream flooding and improve water quality. Volunteers will also instruct the homeowner on the benefits of the rain garden and on-going maintenance. Nashville is doing it right! http://cumberlandrivercompact.org/programs_rainbarrels.shtml#rain

 Yesterday Starbucks sponsored Cumberland River Compact in the making of rain barrels for Nashville.  Volunteers gathered in the parking lot; it was a hot and humid day but I did help out for a bit until the heat got the best of me.

Gotta Love Summer Evenings

I enjoyed a lovely evening sharing a bottle of wine with my neighbors on their patio. The cicadas have calmed down so it was quite pleasant; there’s just something special about summer nights.  I do have to admit my favorite place to enjoy a summer night is watching the sunset over the ocean in Hawaii; add a glass of wine…perfect!

Pool Time Fun

I've been worried about becoming a landing pad for the cicadas at the pool.  A few friends braved it with me yesterday; the heat and humidity must be killing them off as there were no attacks of the cicadas ... whew!  Refreshing day and fun in the sun.